Ashfield District Council has created an Enterprise Development Grant Scheme in order to provide grants to businesses and social enterprises with viable growth plans leading to the creation of new jobs.
This grant scheme will end on 31st March 2025. The closing date for applications is 31st October 2024.
Who is eligible for this grant?
Applications for the enterprise development grant scheme will be accepted for commercial premises only; residential properties or home-based businesses are not eligible to apply for this grant scheme.
We will also accept applications from market traders that are operating from the Idlewells indoor market in Sutton-in-Ashfield.
Priority will be given to premises located in areas covered by Policy SH1 District Shopping Centre and Policy SH4 Local Shopping Centre of the Ashfield District Council Local Plan 2002. However, all locations in the District of Ashfield are eligible to apply for this grant.
Certain businesses are excluded from applying for this grant – these include pawn brokers, adult/private shops, betting shops, national and international chain stores.
What can the grant be used for?
This grant can be used to pay for capital and revenue expenditures (excluding any vehicles, stock, or equipment) that are part of an applicant’s business growth plan, providing there is a clear business case for how these expenditures will add value to the business enabling commercial growth.
Examples of how this grant can be used are listed here:
- Costs relating to research and development work e.g., product development, including production of prototypes and research of new marketing opportunities.
- Costs to purchase machinery, if that machinery creates a ‘step change’ in your commercial operations which lead to increasing efficiency and productivity levels whilst also being an innovative approach for your business.
- Digital marketing costs, such as web design and development, online promotional activities, business logo designs etc. (Costs for printed materials are not eligible)
- Costs associated with staff training to improve skill levels.
- Internal building refurbishments. (Shop fittings are not eligible). e.g. floors, partitions, lighting, internal doors, heating systems, radiators etc
- Internal and external refurbishments for disability access e.g., disabled toilets, doors, ramps to access building etc.
- Shop fronts (window, door, and signage) that have no external roller shutters involved. The design must be agreed in advance with Ashfield District Council planning team.
- Costs to support energy efficiency improvements e.g., solar panels. (Not eligible to applicants that have previously been awarded a Decarbonisation Grant from the Ashfield Accelerator Project)
- Costs associated with specialist advice to support the business e.g., HR, Legal, Financial, I.T etc.
- Costs to claim back any accountancy support used to help applicants complete a 12-month Profit and Loss forecast which is a requirement for this grant
The Council has a strong preference for the use of local suppliers and businesses to be used in any grant funded work, for the benefit of the local economy. Applicants should use suppliers located within Ashfield wherever possible.
How much could an eligible business receive?
This scheme will provide a grant up to £6,000 that will contribute towards 75% of the total eligible cost of the project (excluding VAT).
- To obtain the maximum grant applicants will need to spend £8,000.
- This must be the total project cost excluding any VAT.
- The applicant’s contribution is 25% of the total project cost, which for the
- maximum available grant would be £2,000.00 (excluding any VAT).
How to apply
Step-1: Applicants for the enterprise development grant scheme will need to contact the Business Support Team at Ashfield District Council by email at business.support@ashfield.gov.uk and request an online meeting with one of our team to discuss their business growth plans.
- This meeting will help us to evaluate the suitability of this grant for your needs.
- Applicants must read the schemes guidance document prior to having this meeting to ensure their growth plans meet eligibility criteria and new jobs
- will be created as part of any projects being put forward.
Step-2: If a shop front is part of your growth plans, then you will be asked to discuss your project with Julie.clayton@ashfield.gov.uk who will advise you on what shop front designs are eligible in your location. Julie Clayton will then provide you with recommendations in an email. Applicants must comply with these recommendations should they wish to apply for this grant to be used towards expenditures related to any shops front project work.
Step-3: Applicants complete an online form and will need to provide the following documents and submit all of these via an online portal.
- A business growth plan (a document that tells us what you want to do and how this will add value to your business meeting the grants conditions)
- A 12-month cash flow forecast and profit & loss (we can provide a sample excel template but all we need to see is a document that shows your cash flows to understand your financial plans in relation to this growth plan).
- Three written quotes for any single item costing over £3,000 (if you intend to purchase an item that costs £3,000 or more then you will need to obtain three quotes and upload these with your application)
- A Business Bank Statement (you will need to provide a copy of a recent business bank statement as evidence of your business account)
Visit the Ashfield District Council website to learn more here.